Read Online Boys of Summer by Jessica Brody - Free Book Online Page B

doubt—but he nods. “Sure. Thanks.”
    I dash up to the bar just as someone turns around with two full cups in their hand and nearly dumps both of them down the front of my shirt. I jump back just in time to avoid the beer bath and look up to see Harper trying to recover her drinks.
    Shit.
    I feel a flash of anger at the sight of her standing there,dressed in an as-sexy-as-hell sundress, her lips stained bright pink. Why is she here? She had to know Mike would be here. Is she trying to mess with his head by flaunting her perfect little body at him? And who is that other beer for? Most likely some rebound guy she brought along. This girl is a real piece of work.
    â€œHey,” she murmurs softly, refusing to meet my eye. For some reason she looks embarrassed, obviously at having been caught lurking around this party. She knows I hate it when she plays these kinds of games.
    â€œHey,” I mumble dismissively as I step around her to the bar. When I glance back again, I don’t see her. Hopefully, she’s scurried off somewhere. Hopefully, to the other side of the island.
    As I carry the beers back, I silently debate whether or not I should tell Mike that Harper is here. Or should I just try to discreetly lead him away and suggest we go hang out somewhere else?
    But I soon realize it’s a moot point, because when I reach Mike, I find him staring intently at something on the other side of the pool. His eyes are narrowed and his stance is rigid. I follow his gaze to see Harper sitting on a chair in one of the cabanas, sipping her beer and chatting with Bree Olsen, another local girl who went to school with Mike and Harper.
    Well, at least it’s not a guy.
    I hand Mike his drink. He chugs half of it.
    â€œShe had no right coming here,” I grumble, trying to be helpful.
    Mike scoffs. “She had every right coming here. It’s a public party.”
    â€œYeah, but you know what I mean. It’s an unspoken rule.”
    Mike’s face is inscrutable, like he’s mentally chewing on something. Then he says, “I’m going to talk to her.”
    I launch my good arm out to stop him. “No way. I can’t let you do that, man.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause she ended it. It will only make you look pathetic.”
    Mike snorts. “She didn’t end it. She only said she was ending it. You know she never means it.”
    I have a mental flash of Harper sitting on the beach last week, bawling her eyes out, babbling something about how messed up she is.
    â€œDude,” I say sternly. “How long are you going to let her keep this shit up?”
    Mike finally diverts his gaze from Harper to me. I take that as a sign to keep talking. “I mean, seriously. How many times has she pulled this on you? Twenty? Fifty? A bajillion?”
    Mike looks into his half-empty cup. “I stopped counting.”
    I smack his shoulder with the back of my hand. “See what I mean? When is enough going to be enough? When do you finally recognize that she’s insensitive and manipulative? At what point do you finally get fed up and just, I don’t know, not be there when she comes running back to you?”
    Mike sighs. He knows I’m right. I can see it in the surrendering slouch of his shoulders and the downward pull of his mouth. I hate that he’s so tormented like this. It makes my anger toward Harper flare up all over again.
    â€œ I’m going to talk to her,” I resolve.
    â€œNo,” Mike says, pulling on my sleeve. “Don’t. It’ll only make things worse. Besides, I think I’m going to leave anyway.”
    â€œNot you, too.” I hate how whiny my voice sounds.
    â€œSorry, man,” Mike says. “I have to wake up early tomorrow. I’m starting a new job.”
    â€œAnother one?” I ask, surprised.
    Mike looks uncomfortable as he finishes off his beer. “Yeah.” He swallows. “I’m trying